#staffing agency california

[alliance00]

Finding Your Place in Canada: The Benefits of Partnering with Canadian Staffing Agencies

Embarking on a job search in a new country can be daunting, especially in a diverse and competitive market like Canada. However, there's a valuable resource that many job seekers overlook: Canadian staffing agencies. These agencies offer a wealth of benefits that can help newcomers and seasoned professionals alike find their place in the Canadian workforce. Let's explore the advantages of partnering with Canadian staffing agencies and how they can accelerate your career journey.

1. Access to Exclusive Opportunities

Canadian staffing agencies have deep-rooted connections with employers across various industries, giving job seekers access to exclusive job opportunities that may not be advertised elsewhere. Whether you're seeking temporary assignments, contract roles, or permanent positions, staffing agencies can connect you with opportunities that match your skills, experience, and career aspirations.

2. Industry Expertise and Guidance

Navigating the Canadian job market can be challenging, especially for newcomers unfamiliar with local customs and practices. Canadian staffing agencies offer invaluable industry expertise and guidance to help job seekers understand market trends, identify in-demand skills, and tailor their job search strategies accordingly. Whether you're a recent immigrant or a seasoned professional looking to advance your career, partnering with a Canadian staffing agency can provide you with the insights and support you need to succeed.

3. Streamlined Application Process

Applying for jobs can be a time-consuming and frustrating process, particularly when you're competing with numerous other candidates. Canadian staffing agencies streamline the application process by pre-screening candidates, matching them with suitable job opportunities, and coordinating interviews on their behalf. This saves job seekers valuable time and energy, allowing them to focus on preparing for interviews and showcasing their qualifications.

4. Flexibility and Variety

Canadian staffing agencies offer job seekers flexibility and variety in their employment options. Whether you're looking for short-term assignments to gain experience, flexible work arrangements to accommodate other commitments, or long-term career opportunities, staffing agencies can tailor their offerings to meet your needs. This flexibility allows job seekers to explore different industries, roles, and work environments, ultimately finding the perfect fit for their skills and preferences.

5. Career Development Opportunities

Partnering with a Canadian staffing agency isn't just about finding a job; it's about building a successful career. Many staffing agencies offer resources and support for career development, including resume writing assistance, interview coaching, skills training programs, and networking opportunities. These resources empower job seekers to enhance their employability, advance their careers, and achieve their long-term professional goals.

In conclusion, partnering with a Canadian staffing agency can be a game-changer for job seekers looking to find their place in the Canadian workforce. From access to exclusive job opportunities and industry expertise to streamlined application processes and career development support, staffing agencies offer a range of benefits that can accelerate your career journey and help you achieve success in Canada's diverse and dynamic job market.

The impact of the C-suite is significant and multifaceted. So, while considering C-suite recruitment, a thorough and strategic process should be followed to attract the right leaders. These leaders are catalysts for change: strategy initiation, innovation, financial performance boosting, and positive organizational culture cultivation are important roles played by them. Businesses can ensure a strong foundation for navigating complex challenges by investing time and resources in a meticulous approach to hiring top-tier executives who align with the company's values and objectives. Partnering with a Global Manpower Agency can streamline this process. Contact us to learn more.

[hardninjadream]

Workers' Comp for Staffing Agencies in California: Protect Your Business and Workforce

Get the right Workers' Compensation coverage for your Workers Comp For Staffing Agencies in California. Learn how to comply with state laws, protect your temporary employees, and minimize risk with comprehensive workers' comp insurance. In California, staffing agencies face specific challenges related to worker injuries, making adequate insurance crucial. Discover how workers' comp helps reduce liabilities, streamline claims, and provide the necessary support for employees who are injured on the job. Whether you're managing one employee or hundreds, understanding the requirements and benefits of workers' compensation is key to running a successful staffing business.

[expressoxnard]

The Advantages of Partnering with a Staffing Agency For Job Seekers

Temporary employment services in Oxnard, CA (805) 973-1870

Express Employment Professionals of Oxnard, CA is a Staffing Agency that is locally owned and operated providing services for job seekers to find work and businesses to find qualified employees.

Express Employment Professionals of Oxnard, CA and Thousand Oaks, CA 2371 E Vineyard Ave Suite B Oxnard, CA 93036 (805) 973-1870 https://www.expresspros.com/us-california-oxnard

[expressthousandoaks]

Recruitment agency in Thousand Oaks, CA (805) 418-1111

Express Employment Professionals of Thousand Oaks, CA is a leading Staffing Agency that provides temp services to local businesses and job hunters in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Moorpark and surrounding areas.

Express Employment Professionals of Thousand Oaks, CA 600 Hampshire Rd #201 Thousand Oaks, CA 91361 (805) 418-1111 https://www.expresspros.com/VenturaCountyCA

[wcisa]

Workers Comp For Staffing Agencies in California

Workers Comp For Staffing Agencies in California could be a basic necessity for staffing organizations in California. The state commands that all managers, including staffing offices, give workers' comp scope to ensure workers from job-related wounds and sicknesses. This insurance covers restorative costs, recovery costs, and misplaced compensation for brief and contract laborers. Given California's differing businesses and exacting controls, having comprehensive workers' comp insurance makes a difference staffing agencies comply with state laws, defend their workforce, and relieve budgetary dangers. It too upgrades the agency's notoriety by guaranteeing a commitment to representative security and legitimate compliance within the energetic work showcase. 

[taskimpetusinc1]

Reach Out to A Job Consultancy to Land Up on Your Dream Job

Are you eager to find yourself a perfect job in USA? Not sure how it can be made possible? The ultimate goal of working is to land your dream job, and a job consultancy can help you achieve that. The job consultancy experts will acquire a proper understanding of your goals and aspirations and help you find a job role that aligns with them. A job consultancy for usa can also save you from feeling overwhelmed. You will no longer have to drown yourself in resumes, cover letters, and applications. All you have to do is pick the right job consultancy, and you have it all covered.

[recentupdates]

Human Resource Management System: Streamline Your HR Operations

In today's fast-paced business environment, managing human resources efficiently is crucial for the success of any organization. Human Resource Management (HRM) plays a vital role in the effective functioning of a company. To simplify and automate various HR processes, many organizations opt for Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS). This article delves into the significance of HRMS, the benefits it offers, and the importance of payroll service providers and HR consulting services in California.

What is a Human Resource Management System (HRMS)?

A Human Resource Management System (HRMS) is a software solution designed to streamline and automate various HR functions within an organization. It acts as a central repository for employee data, enabling HR professionals to manage employee information, track performance, streamline recruitment, and ensure compliance with employment laws.

Benefits of Using an HRMS

Implementing an HRMS offers several benefits to organizations, including:

Streamlining Employee Data Management

With an HRMS, companies can efficiently manage employee data, including personal information, employment history, performance reviews, and training records. This centralization eliminates the need for manual record-keeping, reduces paperwork, and ensures data accuracy.

Enhancing Recruitment and Onboarding Processes

An HRMS simplifies the recruitment and onboarding processes by automating tasks such as job posting, applicant tracking, resume screening, and background checks. It enables HR teams to find the right candidates quickly and seamlessly onboard them, improving the overall efficiency of the hiring process.

Simplifying Time and Attendance Tracking

Tracking employee attendance, leaves, and work hours can be time-consuming. An HRMS simplifies this task by providing automated time and attendance tracking features. Employees can clock in and out electronically, and managers can easily monitor attendance records and generate accurate timesheets.

Managing Employee Benefits and Compensation

HRMS software streamlines the administration of employee benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. It ensures accurate benefit calculations, automates enrollment processes, and enables employees to access their benefit information conveniently.

Ensuring Compliance with Employment Laws

Compliance with employment laws and regulations is crucial for every organization. An HRMS helps ensure adherence to legal requirements by automating compliance-related tasks, generating reports, and tracking important dates, such as contract renewals and performance evaluations.

Improving Performance Management and Training

An HRMS facilitates effective performance management by providing tools to set goals, track progress, and conduct performance evaluations. It also simplifies the training and development process by offering training modules, tracking employee training records, and identifying skill gaps.

Effective Succession Planning and Talent Management

Succession planning and talent management are essential for organizational continuity. An HRMS aids in identifying high-potential employees, tracking their career progression, and creating development plans. It ensures a smooth transition during leadership changes and nurtures talent within the organization.

Role of Payroll Service Providers in California

Payroll management is a critical aspect of HR operations. California businesses often seek the assistance of payroll service providers to handle payroll processing, tax compliance, and other related tasks. These providers have the expertise and knowledge to manage payroll efficiently, ensuring accurate and timely payment to employees.

The Advantages of Outsourcing Payroll Services

Outsourcing payroll services to specialized providers offers several advantages to California businesses:

Cost Savings: Outsourcing payroll eliminates the need for in-house payroll staff and associated infrastructure costs. It allows businesses to focus on core activities while reducing expenses.

Time Efficiency: Payroll service providers handle all payroll-related tasks, such as calculating wages, deductions, and taxes. This frees up HR professionals’ time, enabling them to concentrate on strategic HR functions.

Expertise and Compliance: Payroll service providers stay updated with the latest tax laws and regulations. By outsourcing payroll, businesses ensure compliance and minimize the risk of errors or penalties.

Data Security: Payroll service providers employ robust security measures to protect sensitive employee data, reducing the risk of data breaches or identity theft.

Scalability: Payroll service providers can easily accommodate changes in employee numbers, ensuring a seamless payroll process during periods of growth or downsizing.

HR Consulting Services in California: A Strategic Approach

Human Resource outsourcing consultant California offer specialized expertise and guidance to businesses in managing their human resources effectively. These services assist organizations in aligning HR practices with business objectives and implementing strategic HR initiatives.

Leveraging HR Consulting Services for Organizational Growth

By engaging HR consulting services, California businesses can experience the following benefits:

Strategic Planning: HR consultants help organizations develop HR strategies aligned with their long-term goals. They analyze workforce needs, assess skill gaps, and create plans to attract, develop, and retain talent.

Policy Development: HR consultants assist in developing comprehensive HR policies and procedures that comply with local and federal regulations. These policies promote fairness, inclusivity, and transparency within the organization.

Change Management: During periods of organizational change, such as mergers or restructuring, HR consultants provide guidance on managing the human aspect of change. They ensure smooth transitions, minimize resistance, and foster employee engagement.

Employee Engagement and Retention: HR consultants help create a positive work environment by implementing strategies to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction. This leads to increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved organizational performance.

Training and Development: HR consultants identify skill gaps and design training programs to enhance employees’ capabilities. They provide guidance on implementing performance management systems and conducting effective employee assessments.

A Human Resource Management System (HRMS) is a powerful tool that enables organizations to streamline HR processes, enhance efficiency, and improve overall workforce management. Alongside HRMS, payroll service providers in California offer valuable assistance in managing payroll operations, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Additionally, HR consulting services play a pivotal role in aligning HR strategies with business objectives, nurturing employee engagement, and fostering organizational growth.

source: https://medium.com/@arinageorge123/human-resource-management-system-streamline-your-hr-operations-ef59222ae6cd

[follow-up-news]

The federal Bureau of Prisons is permanently closing its “rape club” women’s prison in California and will idle six facilities in a sweeping realignment after years of abuse, decay and mismanagement, The Associated Press has learned. The agency informed employees and Congress on Thursday that it plans to shutter the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California, and its deactivate minimum-security prison camps in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Florida. Staff and inmates are being moved to other facilities, the agency said. In a document obtained by the AP, the Bureau of Prisons said it was taking “decisive and strategic action” to address “significant challenges, including a critical staffing shortage, crumbling infrastructure and limited budgetary resources.” The agency said it is not downsizing and is committed to finding positions for every affected employee. The closures are a striking coda to the Biden administration’s stewardship of the Justice Department’s biggest agency. After repeatedly promising to reform FCI Dublin and other troubled facilities, Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters is pivoting to closures and consolidation, citing inadequate staffing and staggering costs to repair aging infrastructure.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Caleb Ecarma and Judd Legum at Popular Information:

Several of Elon Musk’s associates installed at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) have received unprecedented access to federal human resources databases containing sensitive personal information for millions of federal employees. According to two members of OPM staff with direct knowledge, the Musk team running OPM has the ability to extract information from databases that store medical histories, personally identifiable information, workplace evaluations, and other private data. The staffers spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly and feared professional retaliation. Musk Watch also reviewed internal OPM correspondence confirming that expansive access to the database was provided to Musk associates.

The arrangement presents acute privacy and security risks, one of the OPM staffers said. Among the government outsiders granted entry to the OPM databases is University of California Berkeley student Akash Bobba, a software engineer who graduated high school less than three years ago. He previously interned at Meta and Palantir, a technology firm chaired by Musk-ally and fellow billionaire Peter Thiel. Edward Coristine, another 2022 high school graduate and former software engineering intern at Musk’s Neuralink, has also been given access to the databases.

Other Musk underlings embedded at OPM following President Donald Trump’s inauguration include the agency’s new chief of staff, Amanda Scales, who until January was a human resources staffer at xAI, Musk’s artificial intelligence firm, and Brian Bjelde, who has spent the past 21 years at Musk's SpaceX, including the last 10 leading the human resources department. They are joined by Gavin Kliger, a former Twitter software engineer serving as a special advisor to the director of OPM, and Riccardo Biasini, a former software engineer at Musk’s tunneling venture, the Boring Company. OPM did not respond to a request for comment. Shortly after Trump took office, OPM installed Greg Hogan to serve as its new chief information officer (CIO). Hogan was tapped to replace OPM CIO Melvin Brown, who had accepted the job less than a month ago. The civil servants who oversee the OPM’s information technology services were then instructed to provide access to Musk's associates, according to the OPM staffers who spoke to Musk Watch. One of the OPM staffers received an email from the agency’s new leadership instructing them to give Musk’s team “access [to] the system as an admin user" and "code read and write permissions." “They have access to the code itself, which means they can make updates to anything that they want,” the staffer explained. USAJOBS, the federal government’s official hiring site, was one of the systems that Musk's associates were given access to. The database stores personal information — Social Security numbers, home addresses, employment records — provided by private individuals who have applied for federal jobs, regardless of whether the applicants went on to work for the government. Musk’s aides were also given access to the OPM’s Enterprise Human Resources Integration (EHRI) system. Contained within the EHRI are the Social Security numbers, dates of birth, salaries, home addresses, and job descriptions of all civil government workers, along with any disciplinary actions they have faced. “They’re looking through all the position descriptions… to remove folks,” one of the OPM staffers said of Musk’s team. “This is how they found all these DEI offices and had them removed — [by] reviewing position description level data.” Other databases Musk’s team has access to include USA Staffing, an onboarding system; USA Performance, a job performance review site; and HI, which the government uses to manage employee health care. “The health insurance one scares me because it's HIPAA [protected] information, but they have access to all this stuff,” the OPM staffer noted.

[...] A new server being used to control these databases has been placed in a conference room that Musk’s team is using as their command center, according to an OPM staffer. The staffer described the server as a piece of commercial hardware they believed was not obtained through the proper federal procurement process. There is a legal requirement that the installation of a new server undergo a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA), a formal process to ensure the change would not create any security vulnerabilities. But in this instance, the staff believes there was no PIA. “So this application and corresponding hardware are illegally operating,” they added. On Friday, Reuters reported that some senior civil servants have been blocked from accessing the EHRI and other OPM systems, making it difficult for career OPM employees to know what Musk’s team has been examining or modifying. In the same report, the outlet revealed the team had moved sofa beds into the agency's headquarters to continue their work around the clock.

This should be a major national news scandal.

Elon Musk and the underlings he put in place at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) have jeopardized data privacy and national security.

[alliance00]

Navigating Your Career: Unveiling California's Top Staffing Agencies

Embarking on a career journey in California's bustling job market can be both thrilling and challenging. However, with the assistance of top staffing agencies, navigating your career path becomes an exciting adventure rather than a daunting task. Let's uncover the top staffing agencies in California and how they can help you chart a course to success in your career.

Why Partner with Top Staffing Agencies?

Choosing to partner with top staffing agencies in California provides numerous benefits for job seekers. These agencies have established themselves as leaders in the industry, offering access to exclusive job opportunities, personalized support, and expert guidance throughout the job search process.

Access to Exclusive Opportunities

One of the primary advantages of working with top staffing agencies is gaining access to a wide range of exclusive job opportunities. These agencies have developed strong relationships with leading companies across various industries, giving job seekers access to positions that may not be advertised elsewhere.

Personalized Support and Guidance

Top staffing agencies in California offer personalized support and guidance to job seekers at every step of their career journey. From resume writing and interview preparation to career counseling and negotiation assistance, these agencies are committed to helping job seekers present themselves effectively and secure their dream roles.

Streamlined Job Search Process

Navigating the job market can be overwhelming, but top staffing agencies streamline the process for job seekers. By leveraging their expertise and resources, these agencies save job seekers valuable time and energy, allowing them to focus on preparing for interviews and advancing their careers.

Building Long-Term Relationships

Partnering with top staffing agencies allows job seekers to build long-term relationships that contribute to their career growth. These agencies serve as trusted partners, advocating for their interests and providing opportunities for advancement and professional development.

Conclusion

In conclusion, uncovering California's top staffing agencies is the first step towards navigating your career with confidence and success. With access to exclusive job opportunities, personalized support, a streamlined job search process, and long-term relationships, job seekers can trust these agencies to guide them towards fulfilling careers. So, if you're ready to embark on a rewarding career journey in California, partner with the top staffing agencies and unveil the possibilities that await you.

Alliance Recruitment Agency: Your Global Manpower Agency

Alliance Recruitment Agency serves as your premier global manpower agency, offering tailored solutions for recruitment agencies in Australia and beyond.

With a vast network spanning the globe, we connect job seekers and employers, ensuring seamless placements and successful outcomes. Contact us today to access our expertise and elevate your recruitment efforts with our global reach and personalized services.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved on our archive

"In California, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed cutting the state’s public health funding by $300 million. And the Department of Health in Washington state slashed more than 350 positions at the end of last year and more than 200 this year." Tell me again that the Democrats are damage control: They can't even do the right thing in the states where they have absolute majorities. You should be livid, not complacent or complicit.

Analysis by Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez and McKenzie Beard

Good morning. I’m Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez, a KFF Health News correspondent based in Elko, Nev., which is about as high in elevation as Denver, the Mile-High City. Email me about your experiences with health care in rural America at jorozco@kff.org.

Today’s edition: The Harris-Walz campaign rolled out a plan to improve rural health care. Nebraska voters are set to weigh in on two conflicting abortion-related ballot initiatives. But first …

The boom-and-bust funding cycle for public health hits states

During the coronavirus pandemic, states received a rush of funding from the federal government to bolster their fight against the disease. In many cases, that cash flowed into state and local health departments, fueling a staffing surge to handle, among other things, contact tracing and vaccination efforts.

But public health leaders quickly identified a familiar boom-and-bust funding cycle as they warned about an incoming fiscal cliff once the federal grants sunset. Now, more than a year since the federal Department of Health and Human Services declared the end of the coronavirus emergency, states — such as Montana, California and Washington — face tough decisions about laying off workers and limiting public health services.

In California, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed cutting the state’s public health funding by $300 million. And the Department of Health in Washington state slashed more than 350 positions at the end of last year and more than 200 this year.

Public health experts warn that losing staff who perform functions like disease investigation, immunization, family planning, restaurant inspection and more could send communities into crisis.

“You cannot hire the firefighters when the house is already burning,” said Brian Castrucci, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, an organization that advocates for public health policy.

In late September, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a public health emergency for states affected by Hurricane Helene, allowing state and local health authorities in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee to more easily access federal resources. Last week, ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall in Florida, Becerra declared another public health emergency to aid the state’s response.

If states don’t have robust public health resources ready when disasters like this hit their communities, it can have devastating effects.

Local health department staffing grew by about 19 percent from 2019 to 2022, according to a report from the National Association of County and City Health Officials that examined 2,512 of the nation’s roughly 3,300 local departments. The same report found that half of those departments’ revenue in 2022 came from federal sources.

But in some places, the pandemic cash did little more than keep small health departments afloat. The Central Montana Health District, a public health agency serving five rural counties, received enough money to retain a staff member to help handle testing, contact tracing and rolling out the coronavirus vaccines. It wasn’t enough to hire extra workers, but it allowed officials to fill a position left empty when a staffer left the department, said Susan Woods, the district’s public health director.

Now, five full-time employees work for the health district — enough to scrape by, Woods said.

“Any kind of crisis, any kind of, God forbid, another pandemic, would probably send us crashing,” she said.

Adriane Casalotti, chief of government and public affairs for the national health officials’ group, said she expects layoffs and health department budget cuts to intensify. Those cuts come as health officials work to address issues that took a back seat in the pandemic, such as increases in rates of sexually transmitted infections, suicide and substance misuse.

And rural health departments deserve more attention, Casalotti said, as they are likely to be the most vulnerable and face compounding factors such as hospital closures and the loss of services including maternity and other women’s care.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — an independent source of health policy research, polling and journalism.

[expressoxnard]

Temporary employment services in Oxnard, CA (805) 973-1870

Express Employment Professionals of Oxnard, CA is a Staffing Agency that is locally owned and operated providing services for job seekers to find work and businesses to find qualified employees.

Express Employment Professionals of Oxnard, CA and Thousand Oaks, CA 2371 E Vineyard Ave Suite B Oxnard, CA 93036 (805) 973-1870 https://expresspros.com/venturacountyca/

[expressthousandoaks]

Job search professionals in Thousand Oaks, CA (805) 418-1111

Express Employment Professionals of Thousand Oaks, CA is a leading Staffing Agency that provides temp services to local businesses and job hunters in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Moorpark and surrounding areas.

Express Employment Professionals of Thousand Oaks, CA 600 Hampshire Rd #201 Thousand Oaks, CA 91361 (805) 418-1111 https://www.expresspros.com/VenturaCountyCA

[misfitwashere]

December 15, 2024

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

DEC 16

Tomorrow, December 16, is the fiftieth anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, signed into law on December 16, 1974, by President Gerald R. Ford, a Republican. The measure required the Environmental Protection Agency to set maximum contaminant levels for drinking water and required states to comply with them. It protected the underground sources of drinking water and called for emergency measures to protect public health if a dangerous contaminant either was in or was likely to enter a public water system.

To conduct research on clean drinking water and provide grants for states to clean up their systems, Congress authorized appropriations of $15 million in 1975, $25 million in 1976, and $35 million in 1977.

The Safe Drinking Water Act was one of the many laws passed in the 1970s after the environmental movement, sparked after Rachel Carson’s 1962 book��Silent Spring explored the effect of toxic chemicals on living organisms, had made Americans aware of the dangers of pollution in the environment. That awareness had turned to anger by 1969, when in January a massive oil spill off Santa Barbara, California, poured between 80,000 and 100,000 barrels of oil into the Pacific, fouling 35 miles of California beaches and killing seabirds, dolphins, sea lions, and elephant seals. Then, in June, the chemical contaminants that had been dumped into Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River caught fire.

The nation had dipped its toes into water regulation during the Progressive Era at the beginning of the twentieth century, after germ theory became widely understood in the 1880s. Cleaning up cities first meant installing sewer systems, then meant trying to stop diseases from spreading through water systems. In 1912, Congress passed the U.S. Public Health Service Act, which established a national agency for protecting public health and called for getting rid of waterborne illnesses—including the life-threatening illness typhoid—by treating water with chlorine.

It was a start, but a new focus on science and technology after World War II pointed toward updating the system. The U.S. Public Health Service investigated the nation’s water supply in the 1960s and discovered more than 46,000 cases of waterborne illness. In the 1970s it found that about 90% of the drinking water systems it surveyed exceeded acceptable levels of microbes.

In February 1970, Republican President Richard M. Nixon sent to Congress a special message “on environmental quality.” “[W]e…have too casually and too long abused our natural environment,” he wrote. “The time has come when we can wait no longer to repair the damage already done, and to establish new criteria to guide us in the future.” He called for “fundamentally new philosophies of land, air and water use, for stricter regulation, for expanded government action, for greater citizen involvement, and for new programs to ensure that government, industry and individuals all are called on to do their share of the job and to pay their share of the cost.”

Later that year, Congress passed a measure establishing the Environmental Protection Agency, and Nixon signed it into law.

Widespread calls to protect drinking water ran up against lobbyists for oil companies and members of Congress from oil districts. They complained that the science of what substances were dangerous was uncertain and that how they would be measured and regulated was unclear. They complained that the EPA was inefficient and expensive and was staffed with inexperienced officials.

Then, in 1972, an EPA study discovered that waters downstream from 60 industries discharging waste from Baton Rouge to the Mississippi River’s mouth in New Orleans had high concentrations of 66 chemicals and toxic metals. Chemical companies had sprung up after World War II along the 85 miles between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, potentially polluting the water, while the lower end of the Mississippi River collected all the runoff from the river itself.

Two years later, an analysis of drinking water and cancer death rates among white men in that same area of Louisiana suggested that carcinogens in the water might be linked to high cancer rates. Louisiana representative Lindy Boggs, a Democrat, told Congress that “it is really vitally important to our region that we have controls enforced on the toxic organic compounds that come into the river from the industrial and municipal discharges, from runoffs from from agricultural regions, from accidents on the river, and from chemical spills on the river.”

Concerns about the area of Louisiana that later came to be known as “Cancer Alley” were uppermost, but there were chemical companies across the country, and Congress set out to safeguard the lives of Americans from toxins released by corporations into the nation’s water supply. The Safe Drinking Water Act, the first law designed to create a comprehensive standard for the nation’s drinking water, was Congress’s answer.

The new law dramatically improved the quality of drinking water in the U.S., making it some of the safest in the world. Over the years, the EPA has expanded the list of contaminants it regulates, limiting both new man-made chemicals and new pathogens.

But the system is under strain: not only have scientific advances discovered that some contaminants are dangerous at much lower concentrations than scientists previously thought, but also a lack of funding for the EPA means that oversight can be lax. Even when it’s not, a lack of funding for towns and cities means they can’t always afford to upgrade their systems.

By 2015, almost 77 million Americans lived in regions whose water systems did not meet the safety standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act. In addition, more than 2 million Americans did not have running water, and many more rely on wells or small systems not covered by the Safe Water Drinking Act.

The Biden administration began to address the problem with an investment of about $22 billion to upgrade the nation’s water systems. The money removed lead pipes, upgraded wastewater and sewage systems, and addressed the removal of so-called forever chemicals and proposed a new standard for acceptable measures of them.

What this will mean in the future is unclear. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to increase production of oil and gas—although it is currently at an all-time high—and such projects are often slowed by environmental regulations. On Tuesday, December 10, he posted on social media, “Any person or company investing ONE BILLION DOLLARS, OR MORE, in the United States of America, will receive fully expedited approvals and permits, including, but in no way limited to, all Environmental approvals. GET READY TO ROCK!!!”

“[B]y ignoring environmental costs we have given an economic advantage to the careless polluter over his more conscientious rival,” Trump’s Republican predecessor Nixon told the nation in 1970. “While adopting laws prohibiting injury to person or property, we have freely allowed injury to our shared surroundings.” When he signed the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974, President Ford added simply: “Nothing is more essential to the life of every single American than clean air, pure food, and safe drinking water.”

—

[yourreddancer]

Heather Cox Richardson 12.15.24

Tomorrow, December 16, is the fiftieth anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, signed into law on December 16, 1974, by President Gerald R. Ford, a Republican. The measure required the Environmental Protection Agency to set maximum contaminant levels for drinking water and required states to comply with them. It protected the underground sources of drinking water and called for emergency measures to protect public health if a dangerous contaminant either was in or was likely to enter a public water system.

To conduct research on clean drinking water and provide grants for states to clean up their systems, Congress authorized appropriations of $15 million in 1975, $25 million in 1976, and $35 million in 1977.

The Safe Drinking Water Act was one of the many laws passed in the 1970s after the environmental movement, sparked after Rachel Carson’s 1962 book Silent Spring explored the effect of toxic chemicals on living organisms, had made Americans aware of the dangers of pollution in the environment. 

That awareness had turned to anger by 1969, when in January a massive oil spill off Santa Barbara, California, poured between 80,000 and 100,000 barrels of oil into the Pacific, fouling 35 miles of California beaches and killing seabirds, dolphins, sea lions, and elephant seals. Then, in June, the chemical contaminants that had been dumped into Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River caught fire.

The nation had dipped its toes into water regulation during the Progressive Era at the beginning of the twentieth century, after germ theory became widely understood in the 1880s. Cleaning up cities first meant installing sewer systems, then meant trying to stop diseases from spreading through water systems. In 1912, Congress passed the U.S. Public Health Service Act, which established a national agency for protecting public health and called for getting rid of waterborne illnesses—including the life-threatening illness typhoid—by treating water with chlorine.

It was a start, but a new focus on science and technology after World War II pointed toward updating the system. The U.S. Public Health Service investigated the nation’s water supply in the 1960s and discovered more than 46,000 cases of waterborne illness. In the 1970s it found that about 90% of the drinking water systems it surveyed exceeded acceptable levels of microbes.

In February 1970, Republican President Richard M. Nixon sent to Congress a special message “on environmental quality.” “[W]e…have too casually and too long abused our natural environment,” he wrote. “The time has come when we can wait no longer to repair the damage already done, and to establish new criteria to guide us in the future.” He called for “fundamentally new philosophies of land, air and water use, for stricter regulation, for expanded government action, for greater citizen involvement, and for new programs to ensure that government, industry and individuals all are called on to do their share of the job and to pay their share of the cost.”

Later that year, Congress passed a measure establishing the Environmental Protection Agency, and Nixon signed it into law.

Widespread ater that year, Congress passed a measure establishing the Environmental Protection Agency, and Nixon signed it into law.calls to protect drinking water ran up against lobbyists for oil companies and members of Congress from oil districts. They complained that the science of what substances were dangerous was uncertain and that how they would be measured and regulated was unclear. They complained that the EPA was inefficient and expensive and was staffed with inexperienced officials.

Then, in 1972, an EPA study discovered that waters downstream from 60 industries discharging waste from Baton Rouge to the Mississippi River’s mouth in New Orleans had high concentrations of 66 chemicals and toxic metals. Chemical companies had sprung up after World War II along the 85 miles between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, potentially polluting the water, while the lower end of the Mississippi River collected all the runoff from the river itself.

Two years later, an analysis of drinking water and cancer death rates among white men in that same area of Louisiana suggested that carcinogens in the water might be linked to high cancer rates. Louisiana representative Lindy Boggs, a Democrat, told Congress that “it is really vitally important to our region that we have controls enforced on the toxic organic compounds that come into the river from the industrial and municipal discharges, from runoffs from from agricultural regions, from accidents on the river, and from chemical spills on the river.”

Concerns about the area of Louisiana that later came to be known as “Cancer Alley” were uppermost, but there were chemical companies across the country, and Congress set out to safeguard the lives of Americans from toxins released by corporations into the nation’s water supply. The Safe Drinking Water Act, the first law designed to create a comprehensive standard for the nation’s drinking water, was Congress’s answer.

The new law dramatically improved the quality of drinking water in the U.S., making it some of the safest in the world. Over the years, the EPA has expanded the list of contaminants it regulates, limiting both new man-made chemicals and new pathogens.

But the system is under strain: not only have scientific advances discovered that some contaminants are dangerous at much lower concentrations than scientists previously thought, but also a lack of funding for the EPA means that oversight can be lax. Even when it’s not, a lack of funding for towns and cities means they can’t always afford to upgrade their systems.

By 2015, almost 77 million Americans lived in regions whose water systems did not meet the safety standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act. In addition, more than 2 million Americans did not have running water, and many more rely on wells or small systems not covered by the Safe Water Drinking Act.

The Biden administration began to address the problem with an investment of about $22 billion to upgrade the nation’s water systems. The money removed lead pipes, upgraded wastewater and sewage systems, and addressed the removal of so-called forever chemicals and proposed a new standard for acceptable measures of them.

What this will mean in the future is unclear. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to increase production of oil and gas—although it is currently at an all-time high—and such projects are often slowed by environmental regulations. On Tuesday, December 10, he posted on social media, “Any person or company investing ONE BILLION DOLLARS, OR MORE, in the United States of America, will receive fully expedited approvals and permits, including, but in no way limited to, all Environmental approvals. GET READY TO ROCK!!!”

“[B]y ignoring environmental costs we have given an economic advantage to the careless polluter over his more conscientious rival,” Trump’s Republican predecessor Nixon told the nation in 1970. “While adopting laws prohibiting injury to person or property, we have freely allowed injury to our shared surroundings.” When he signed the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974, President Ford added simply: “Nothing is more essential to the life of every single American than clean air, pure food, and safe drinking water.”

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